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Message 8 of 8
Posted by member Gareth Thomas on Thursday 5 July 2007
Ok Backwards it is!
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Message 7 of 8
Posted by member Norman Birkett on Friday 29 June 2007
Hardy 25 steering. I have same problems but have found that she is easy to control in reverse. The boat follows the engine as it were!!
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Message 6 of 8
Posted by member Gareth Thomas on Thursday 28 June 2007
I was about to post the same question when I came across this discussion. I have a Hardy 18, with a 35HP Honda o/b, that I've just started using on the Charente river at Cognac in France. As already stated the boat is almost unsteerable at slow speeds and coming up to landing stages is, so far, a bit of a nightmare. My first thought was that the boat is over powered for the gentle currents of the Charente but as I intend to move downstream next year to the tidal part of the river I don't want to change the o/b. Fitting trim tabs seems a good suggestion but how easy/difficult is that job?
After 20years of coastal sailing and no steering problems the problem is very frustrating!
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Message 5 of 8
Posted by member Terry Hall on Saturday 21 April 2007
Thanks to each for your advice, I believe these comments will only help understand and minimise the problem. I am coming to the conclusion that unless there is some kind of keel towards the boat's stern then there is little to prevent the planing section
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Message 4 of 8
Posted by member Graham Green on Monday 16 April 2007
The majority of planing craft have this tendancy unless you have twin drives then it all becomes, simple? dropping trim tabs help but I believe the secret is to make minute movements of the helm otherwise you can end up from stop to stop. Firstly know when the rudder/drive is amidships/central, most helms take about three and a bit turns from stop to stop, have a mark/piece of tape on the wheel or spoke when the rudder/drive is in the middle position this way when the boat starts to deviate you can make small corrections trying not to return beyond the midway mark. It was explained to me that I had to imagine that at slow speed the back of the boat is trying to overtake the bow so once the bow is on the right line it is up to you to make the stern follow by careful use of the helm. Mind you I feel happier having someone on deck with a big fender when I am manoevering around other vessels or in the marina,just in case!!!
hope this helps
Brgds Graham G
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Message 3 of 8
Posted by member Roger Kemsley on Friday 13 April 2007
Terry,
I have a 25 with the D3 and SX leg.This movement at slow speed is probably due to prop wash.Not much you can do.(unless some one knows better.
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Message 2 of 8
Posted by member Charlie Stitt on Friday 13 April 2007
If you have trim tabs lower them right down at slow speeds, this helps.If you do not have trim tabs you are missing out on a lot of improved performance.
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Message 1 of 8
Posted by member Terry Hall on Tuesday 10 April 2007
My boat is fitted with a new Volvo D3 inboard diesel and SX Outdrive, a new steering box and cable has also been fitted. Constant steering correction is required at slow speed and less so at higher speeds. I am assming that this is due to the the semi planing hull - Can anyone advise on how to improve on this or perhaps suggest another reason for this characteristic. Thanks
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